My thoughts on the Phillies season.

The Phils blow another lead, before losing in the ninth, as they are downed by the Mets, 5-2.

The Phils watch yet another lead slip away before losing it in the ninth on a three-run home run by a rookie, as they dropped the series’ opener to the Mets, 5-2.

The Phils took a quick lead in the first as, with a man on third, and with nobody out, John Mayberry, Jr. hits a sacrifice fly, knocking in Jimmy Rollins, who had started the game off for the Phils with a double, then went to third on center fielder Andres Torres’ fielding error, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils added to their lead in the second as, with a man on first, and with nobody out, Placido Polanco hits an RBI double, scoring Carlos Ruiz, who had started the inning off with a walk, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. The Mets would tie the game up at two-all in the sixth as, with two men on, and with two men out, David Wright hits a two-run double, knocking in Torres, who had earlier walked, then stopped at second base on Kirk Nieuwenhuis’ single, and Nieuwenhuis, who had just singled. The Mets then took the lead in the ninth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Jordany Valdespin hits a three-home run, his first career home run, as well as his first career hit, knocking in Ike Davis, who had earlier walked, then stopped at third on Mike Nickeas’ double, and Nickeas, who had just doubled, giving the Mets a 5-2 lead. That would end up being the final score as Frank Francisco recorded his eighth save of the year as he threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth, getting Shane Victorino to ground out, 4-3, for the game’s final out.

Roy Halladay received a no-decision as he threw seven strong innings, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Antonio Bastardo pitched a scoreless inning, walking two batters. Jonathan Papelbon (0-1, 3.00) took the lost as he pitched an inning, giving up three runs on two hits and a walk, while striking out two. Jon Niese also received a no-decision as he went five innings, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out five. Manny Acosta pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Bobby Parnell pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings, giving up four hits, and a walk. Tim Brydak (1-0, 4.00) got the win as he pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man that he would face. Frank Francisco collected his eighth save of the year as he threw a 1-2-3 ninth, as he struck out a batter.

The Phils had eight hits in the game, with Jimmy Rollins (Single, Double) and Shane Victorino (Singles) both leading the team with two hits each. John Mayberry, Jr. (Single, RBI), Ty Wigginton (Single), Carlos Ruiz (Single) and Placido Polanco (Double, RBI) had the other four Phils’ hits, as the offense is once again unable to capitalize when given the chance to regain the lead late in the game. The Phils also had five walks, showing a bit more patient at the plate.

The Phils (14-16, 5th) continue their series with the Mets (16-13, 3rd) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is to start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will be sending to the mound Joe Blanton (3-3, 2.83), who is coming off a complete-game, shutout win against the Braves on May 3, as he gave up only three hits, while striking out six, in the Phils’ 4-0 win. He will be trying to help the Phils tie up the series at a win apiece. The Mets will counter with Miguel Batista (0-1, 6.92), who is coming off a relief appearance against the Astros on May 1, as he threw two and two-thirds innings, giving up a run on three hits and four walks, while he struck out a batter, in the Mets’ 6-3 lost. He will be trying to pitch the Mets to a series win. The Phils will be out to even up the series.

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